Blessed Sacrament!

Psalm 132:11

The LORD swore to David a sure oath
from which He will not turn back:
"One of the sons of your body
I will set on your throne."

Sacramentum is the Latin word for "oath."  It is worth noting that the sacraments are God's oath to us, as well as our oath to God.  God swore an oath to David that one of the sons of his body — not his disembodied spirit — He would set on David's throne.  That oath is ultimately and completely fulfilled in Jesus, the Son of David, who offers us His Body and Blood, not just His Spirit, in the Blessed Sacrament, the Sacrament of Sacraments and Oath of Oaths.  Because Jesus shares our body and blood, He is able to redeem us not just "spiritually" but completely, right down to our toes.  Because of this, we await, not just the redemption of our spirits or souls, but the redemption of our bodies when we shall share in His risen life.  Come, Lord Jesus!

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Mark P. Shea is a popular Catholic writer and speaker. The author of numerous books, his most recent work is The Work of Mercy (Servant) and The Heart of Catholic Prayer (Our Sunday Visitor). Mark contributes numerous articles to many magazines, including his popular column “Connecting the Dots” for the National Catholic Register. Mark is known nationally for his one minute “Words of Encouragement” on Catholic radio. He also maintains the Catholic and Enjoying It blog and regularly blogs for National Catholic Register. He lives in Washington state with his wife, Janet, and their four sons.

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